We're relocating our family to Northern Virginia, and leaving Austin Children's Academy is…read moregenuinely one of the hardest parts of this move. Our son Benjamin has been a student here, and the growth we've watched in him during his time at ACA has been incredible. The teachers and staff didn't just teach Benjamin important skills like potty training and using utensils on his own -- they did it with so much patience and care that he hit these milestones happily and confidently. As a parent, watching your child grow through these big "firsts" is special, and we always felt like ACA's team was as invested in those moments as we were. What really sets this school apart is the sense of family. From the teachers to the entire staff, everyone made us feel like we belonged to a community, not just a daycare. Benjamin was loved and cared for every single day, and that kind of warmth is hard to find. If you're considering ACA for your child, don't hesitate. We are beyond grateful for everything this school has done for Benjamin and our family, and we'll carry these memories with us wherever we go. Thank you, ACA -- you'll always have a piece of our hearts.

Both my sons received quality and education and care at ACA. It's a nurturing and well structured…read moreand safe environment to trust your children in.

My son started his preschool classes in 2022 and I was so hesitant to put him into school. After…read moretouring the establishment, meeting Steffani, seeing how wonderful the school is I fell in love. I knew my son was in good hands. My son wasn't speaking too much before starting school but after his first year he was speaking full and complete sentences and writing. The teachers there are amazing! They all either had their own kids go through FFP or have taught there for 10+ years. Everyone just seems to be one big family there. My son is now onto kindergarten and my daughter will start her first year there come August. I have nothing but nice things to say about FFP and the wonderful people there.

First Foundations served as our family's first experience with preschool, and for that we are so…read moreextremely thankful. Our shy little daughter just blossomed at this school, to the extent that our friends and extended family remarked on the change in her confidence and demeanor. I'm admittedly a pretty anxious mama bear and I am still, a year later, so shocked at how seamless the adjustment to going to preschool felt for both my daughter and for myself. There were no tears from my little one when I dropped her off, but on more than one occasion she was adamant that she didn't want to leave the school when I picked her up. I could write paragraph upon paragraph, but I'll try to keep it short and sweet because I know firsthand how much energy it takes to search for that perfect fit. Here are some of the aspects that stood out to me! - The whole entire staff here is so wonderful. The director, Mrs. Wilkins, truly pours her heart into her school. She knows and loves each child and greets them by name. She also personally ran my daughter's lunch box/jacket/show and tell item down to her classroom on the more than one occasion that I completely forgot those items in a sleep deprived haze. Our daughter's teachers, Mrs. Gamoneda and Mrs. Pallota, were so kind and loving. Our kiddo can be stubborn, and she started the school year insisting that she didn't want finger paint on her hands. Mrs. G and Mrs. P worked with her, encouraging but never pushing (they even asked my husband and myself if there was any sort of alternative glue or paint she might find more tolerable), and our daughter was beaming with pride when she presented us with a finger painted keepsake a few weeks later. I said I'd keep this short, so bullet points for the rest. - All of the teachers are very qualified. - The school is clean and the teachers had the children wash their hands several times every day even in a pre-coronavirus world. - There are all sorts of fun theme days, class parties and a Christmas program. - This was my daughter's takeaway from our initial tour - two playgrounds! Here is my takeaway - two safe, age appropriate playgrounds that are fenced in. - In addition to the classroom, the children attend Chapel, Spanish and music class (we had the opportunity to observe a bit of the music class on our tour, and the kids were having so much fun). - A perfect combination of play based learning and learning skills that will be needed in kindergarten (our 4 y/o is now able to write her name but she had a lot of fun at school too) - The teachers incorporate super cool activities (a volcano, a caterpillar that turns into a butterfly, a classroom full of tents, reading Biblical stories via blacklight) into their daily lesson plans. - The school is safety minded. This was huge for me. - If you have a baby on your hip, everyone will help you. :) There is a wonderful drop off program, actually, in which teachers are in charge of getting kids from your car. It's very safe and coordinated well. - The school has a bridge program and a kindergarten program. This is actually how I learned about First Foundations. It's seriously the best school, and the only thing I would ever change about it is that I wish our kids could attend for a couple more years.

We have loved our time at Nicholson. The teachers do a wonderful job connecting with students and…read morefamilies, and always communicating directly with us. The positive, nurturing environment combined with the play-based curriculum has allowed my grandson to learn and grow in a way that is fun and engaging, and he is always excited to go to school. The flexible schedule is also convenient for our family. We recommend Nicholson to any family looking for a more personal preschool experience, with a highly trained staff, and engaging curriculum.

My daughter started attending Nicholson 1 month ago and we couldn't be happier with this choice…read more It is a smaller place, so they get to know every child. I feel like they truly care about my daughter and listen to what I have to say. Dr. Nicholson and Ms. Renita are both fantastic and very knowledgeable, and I feel like they managed to find and retain really great teachers. They emphasize the importance of free play, which I agree with, but they also do lots of art and they do a jamboree with singing and dancing twice a week. Another thing I really like is what they call a sociodramatic play event: once a month they set up a new scene in the hall like a camping site, a restaurant, a veterinarian clinic for the kids to play.

We enrolled with the Goddard School when our daughter was two years old. As with most children that…read morestart attending a daycare / school, she was stricken with a little separation anxiety. Within a week, she was looking forward to seeing her teacher and new-found friends each day. Our daughter progressed through several class promotions as her intellectual and social skills flourished under the amazing teachers at the Goddard School. We couldn't be more pleased with the level of education and socialization that she has received. We also appreciate that her teachers were always watching her progression and recommending her advancement. Getting the pictures and updates during each day really helps our peace of mind each day when we could see that she was having a good time and participating in activities that would have been impossible for our Nanny. After several years with the Goddard School, our daughter is now moving on to public school. It was a painful goodbye but my wife and I were completely surprised and brought to tears when we were presented with a notebook from Goddard that cataloged each class, teacher, and milestones that she achieved through the years. It just reminded us of how our daughter's life was shaped during those formidable years by such a wonderful group of teachers and staff. I can't say enough good things about the Goddard School in Cedar Park! They are, and always will be, an extension of our family and they will be greatly missed by my wife and I, but mostly by our daughter.

My son started attending Goddard Preschool in Cedar Park at the end of September 2025 in the…read moreprivate kindergarten class with Ms. Celeste. I tried to overlook several red flags early on, but ultimately could not continue due to how my child was treated. The first concern arose within the first two weeks. When I simply asked how my son's day went and whether she needed help with his transition, Ms. Celeste responded rudely and said she didn't have time to answer questions because she needed to return to class--despite it being after 3 p.m. when the class was already transitioning to after-school care and the children were playing independently. As a parent trying to support both my child and the teacher, this interaction was surprising and discouraging. The second major issue was deeply concerning. During a class birthday celebration, my son was not allowed to have a cupcake because he did not eat his lunch. Ms. Celeste was fully aware that my son is in occupational therapy for an eating disorder. Denying food as a consequence is not a teacher's place, and it was damaging to his progress and self-esteem. We even had a parent-teacher conference where I paid for his occupational therapist to attend specifically to help Ms. Celeste understand his needs and how to better support him. The third issue was constant discipline for minor, age-appropriate behavior. My son is five years old, energetic, and developmentally typical. Ms. Celeste is extremely strict, shows clear favoritism, and seems to lack patience for children who are not "perfect." If your child doesn't fit her narrow expectations, they are repeatedly punished for small things rather than guided or supported. The final and most upsetting issue was when my son told me he was being made to sit alone throughout the day, including at lunch. I emailed the school explaining that isolating a child--especially one in food therapy--is inappropriate and should never be used as punishment. While the director assured me they would monitor the situation, nothing improved. A few days later, Ms. Celeste confronted me aggressively in front of my son and other students. She accused me of blaming her for being a bad teacher and labeled my child as having a "behavioral problem" in front of him and the class. This was completely unacceptable and unprofessional. She attempted to twist my words and escalated the situation instead of addressing concerns appropriately. The next day was my son's last day. While Ms. Celeste may be effective at teaching academic kindergarten material, that does not excuse her attitude, lack of compassion, or inappropriate handling of children she deems "problematic." Young children are not robots. They deserve patience, understanding, and emotional safety. For context: my son has never been labeled a behavioral problem by any other teacher or school. He is loved by educators, and his previous school welcomed him back immediately with open arms and excitement. If you are considering Goddard's private kindergarten--specifically with Ms. Celeste--be cautious. If your child is not perfectly compliant at all times, this may not be the right environment. There are far better schools that will prepare your child for kindergarten without sacrificing kindness and respect.

They take really good care of children and respect everyones needs, while caring for all the…read morechildren and making sure they are all taken care of.

When you have a baby for the first time, it's all fun and games until your maternity leave ends and…read moreyou have to come to terms with joining back the real world of work life. While my mat leave was NOT a vacation, neither is taking care of my little one, and doing the research to figure out if daycare, nanny or aupair fits the bill for your family is such a personal decision, not everything is one size fits all. Our research started when I was 6 months pregnant and I started touring several daycares in the area along with Montessori schools to just get an idea what the heck we were dealing with, securities instilled, and how daycare works. We went to tour 3 places, all of which I had first hand feedback from existing coworkers from all places. Primrose's director Ms. Artus shared we should even look up all the daycares on the Texas state site to check for infractions of which we found none. :) yay. Plus a short drive from our home makes it an easy pick up and drop off. First thing is, while costs are high, this is not something we were afraid of when we factored in the many amenities and learnings we expected from a daycare, the professionals that know how to take care of our LO better than we can with some tips and tricks, and also wanting something more than a daycare where your kiddo just goes through the motions day by day. It's only been 3 weeks, and I'm still on my maternity leave but as I re-enter the workforce next week, and leave my babe for realsies, I trust he's in the best of hands, I've dropped him off and popped in on occasion, and I've always seen him shown with love. So many other perks include, him socializing with other babies. They change him very frequently and can even examine his bowel movements and ask if he has breast milk since we do nurse our little one at home but give daycare formula since my pumping milk doesn't produce enough. I love how attentive and observant they are without us knowing what to share. He has his own crib, collage of people who love him and play area and I love how I get to see all the little ones grow and learn along side our babe. We are the first in our friends to have a baby so it's hard to get kiddos for him to engage with even as a newborn or even know how to do it all. Don't fret, the primrose staff is super helpful and SO good at what they do. I commend Ms. Mary of the young infants class and all the staff assistants that help. I love seeing our little one grow and learn so many things that I would struggle to even think of except for survive, go on stroller walks and naps. They've instilled structure, helped me understand as a first time parent what to look for, extra outfits, diaper cream, and all the things I never knew for taking care of my baby. It honestly feels like my own little village of caretakers that watch out for my LO, and this genuinely can really show how much that means to me. They've got so many happy kiddos that fill the halls and the community really seems great from our short time here, the calendar is filled with activities and field trips the different age groups take so you know what fun they're in for. Parents night out is a thing too, whoo hoo! Love it so far, and we hope our son thrives and grows well here for ages to come. I look forward to updating as he moves into the next classrooms so I can share our growth and experience but we love it here.

My first experience with Montessori was 10 years ago, with my son, at a Montessori school in a…read moredifferent state. I was quite disappointed with what was touted as Montessori and the results I saw with my son. The freedom that comes with the Montessori method didn't suit him, as he would take advantage of it by reading books all day instead of participating in lessons. At the time, my priority was simply having someone take care of him since both parents worked. As long as he was safe, that was enough. I didn't think much more about it until it was time to put my daughter into daycare, as our parental leave was coming to an end. From the options available, enrolling her in a "private school" seemed like the best choice, hoping she would learn something and not just play all day. I first placed her at the Brushy Creek campus, because they have classrooms for babies. The price seemed steep for just feeding and changing diapers, but again, I figured you pay for quality. Well... I was surprised by how quickly she was developing. She started walking at 10 months old, communicated her needs through sounds and sign language, and got along well with other kids. The benefits of socializing her early were obvious. I started thinking there might be more to Montessori than I originally thought. It wasn't until we transferred her to the Cypress Creek campus, closer to home, that I truly realized how wrong I had been about Montessori. At Guidepost Montessori at Cypress Creek, I saw just how incredible the Montessori method can be when done right. The school has provided an exceptional learning environment for my daughter, with a strong focus on individualized education and fostering independence. The Montessori philosophy is clearly evident in every aspect of the school's approach, from the thoughtfully prepared classrooms to the well-structured activities that promote creativity, critical thinking, and self-discipline. Her teachers, Mrs. Ebelia and her assistant Alex, have been amazing. They are both professional, caring, and highly qualified, creating a warm and supportive atmosphere for the students. I have seen remarkable growth in my child's confidence and ability to tackle challenges on her own, and I attribute a lot of that progress to the nurturing environment they've created. One of the standout aspects of the school is the abundance of activities they offer to bring the community together. Whether it's events for families, parent workshops, or school celebrations, Guidepost Montessori does an incredible job of fostering a strong sense of connection and engagement between parents, teachers, and students. Additionally, the diversity of my daughter's classmates is remarkable. She is surrounded by children from various backgrounds, which enriches her learning experience and broadens her understanding of the world around her. The communication between the school and parents is outstanding--I'm always kept informed about my child's progress and any updates regarding the school. The leadership at Guidepost Montessori is also worth noting. They are approachable, proactive, and genuinely care about the development and well-being of the students. It's clear that they are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in education. Overall, I couldn't be happier with our choice to enroll at Guidepost Montessori at Cypress Creek. It has truly been a wonderful experience, and I would highly recommend it to any parents looking for a nurturing, innovative, and effective learning environment for their child.

I need to begin this review by clarifying a misunderstanding I had when enrolling my kid at this…read moreschool. It is NOT named after a dinosaur. In fact, there are no dinosaurs named Montessori, Montessorous, Montessori Rex, Montessoridon, or even Montessoridactyl. I think Montessori is Italian, actually. Next obvious question: Were all dinosaurs Italian? This is hotly debated amongst anthropologists even today. My theory is that yes, and that what actually killed the dinosaurs was not a meteor from space, but rather a meteor-sized meatball. All evidence is forthcoming once I can find a scientific journal that will publish my thesis. Anyway, back to the review of the school. Hold on to your butts... My kid has been attending Guidepost at Cypress Creek for about a year and a half. He started in the toddler classroom and is now in Children's House. (They call it a house, but it's actually a classroom. I don't know why. When you reach out to admissions, you can use that as an icebreaker. You're welcome). My partner, my kid, and I have all been very pleased with both classrooms. Montessori schools treat their students as fully capable people with their own agency. This sounds like a recipe for disaster, but somehow they make it work. When you watch a classroom in full swing, it's like a well-oiled machine. The students are working either independently or cooperatively. They are cleaning up after themselves, being respectful towards others, and are highly attentive towards their classwork. They are very clever girls and boys. This is a testament to the excellent guides (their term for teachers, there's your second icebreaker). It sounds impossible but, uh, the guides find a way. The administration is also wonderful. They are pro-active with their communications, and we always feel in the loop. Almost every day there are optional extra-curricular activity options on the school grounds, which is super convenient. Things like art, gym, and soccer. The school is a great size. It's small enough that it feels like a real community. I think all of the guides know our kids' name, even if they aren't in his class, and they know both my partner and me. There are frequent classroom-wide and school-wide events, both in person and remote. There's an outdoor playground, of course, and a garden area that gets frequent use. All of the children participate in maintaining it, which is cool. Tuition is reasonable, even though it seems like they've spared no expense, so that's nice. Well, readers, after careful consideration, I've decided to endorse Guidepost Montessori at Cypress Creek. We like it enough that we will be enrolling our second kid when he's old enough. The question wasn't so much whether we could but whether we should, and even that was silly because the answer was obviously yes. The lack of actual dinosaurs is disappointing, of course, but I'm not going to deduct stars for that. I haven't found any school that has them, so it wouldn't be fair.

Our 2 1/2 year old attended Bluebonnet for his first daycare experience after being home with full…read moretime. The first month went well, but as he adjusted to the social environment, he began having age appropriate behavioral challenges, including occasionally kicking when frustrated. We worked extensively on these behaviors at home and expected to partner with the school. One day, after noticing our son was out of view on the classroom cameras for about 30 minutes, we called to check on him. We were told he had been taken on a walk around the school to help him regulate his emotions, which we appreciated. After that call, however, we began receiving frequent reports of behavioral concerns that had not previously been communicated. The director invited us to a meeting to create a plan for our son's success. We were hopeful, but we left disappointed because there was no clear action plan. During the meeting, staff expressed concerns that our son might be developmentally delayed and recommended that we see his pediatrician. We followed that recommendation, and his pediatrician found him to be average to above average developmentally, believing his challenges were consistent with adjusting to his first structured childcare environment. The deciding factor for us came when we observed classroom camera footage showing a teacher and assistant pulling our son by one arm and, shortly afterward, his lead teacher reacting to him in a way we felt was inappropriate. At that point, we made the decision to withdraw him from the school. Every family's experience is different, but we hope sharing ours helps other parents make the decision that feels right for their child, especially during the often difficult transition into daycare.

We attended Bluebonnet School from when my son was 13 weeks through Pre-k. He's now on kindergarten…read moreand does their after school program. From Ms Erika to Ms Rachel the teachers have been fantastic. Ms Erika (Room 1) is so experienced with young babies that I knew my child was in good hands with her. As a first time mom she taught me many things. And capping of the experience with Ms Rachel (room 18) was perfect. She will prepare your child for kindergarten, no doubt. She gives the kids so much structure and really prepares them with reading skills. There have been some issues with teacher and staff turnover during our time but this is the unfortunate nature of the industry especially with how challenging the last few years have been (pandemic). The assistant teachers seemed to change frequently and it was hard to keep track of who would be in his room. In the past there have occasionally been communication issues but I feel that the current director has worked a lot of that out. Any issues we had, the teachers and staff have always been eager to solve. My son has enjoyed the amenities at the school like the splash pad, nice outdoor play area, Spanish and music classes and the other vendors that come in offering classes like Gymstation for sports and gymnastics and Waterloo for swimming lessons.

My daughter loves going to school here. She started the year with extreme separation anxiety and…read morequickly adjusted into the High Hopes environment! I feel confident and safe leaving her knowing she will be loved, enriched, and well-taken care of by all of the staff and teachers. They grow to know the students very well and their love of what they do shines through each school day and beyond! We love this school and are happy to call Highpoint Fellowship our church home as well. It amazes me what she's learning there sometimes! Can't say enough good things about this program!

We have never used the preschool or afterschool but both of my kids have played sports there - both…read morewhen it was Dr John's and as High Hopes. Both times have dealt with friendly people who are about the kids having fun, not really competitive. Its been a good place for my kids to try out new sports - with good instruction and a safe place to learn. We've tried tball, basketball and volleyball.